Barker got strong push from Spurrier on visit

By Phil Kornblut

USC coach Steve Spurrier made it clear to QB Drew Barker of Hebron, KY during his unofficial visit over the weekend that he is the quarterback he wants for the 2014 class. Barker says Spurrier went beyond his normal recruiting efforts in dealing with him Friday during practice. "Coach Spurrier called me over during practice and I was in there with him when he was calling plays, standing with him on the field when they were doing seven on seven and scrimmaging," Barker said. "I was just walking around and talking ball with him and he was explaining the plays. Coach Mangus told me after practice I was the first quarterback he's ever done that with. Usually you are supposed to stand over on the sidelines. I thought that was pretty cool. I definitely could tell coach Spurrier really wanted me on this trip. He spent a lot of time with me and definitely wanted me to know that I was wanted there." Barker, who is the only quarterback USC has offered in the 2014 class, also got some other questions answered over the weekend. "One of the things I wanted to see was a practice and how the players interacted, to see if like people say they've got a family environment," he said. "I got to hang out with the players and they were all telling me the coaches are real. They all told me the coaches were great and definitely real." Barker will return to USC for the spring game April 13th. He is going to Tennessee the first weekend in April and will go to Kentucky for some practices April 8-10. He's also looking at a visit to Ole Miss. Barker said there is no leader and he has USC, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Louisville as a top group right now though he's still talking to other schools who will come in to see him throw during spring practice. "I'm hoping these visits will clear things up," he said. Barker is planning a decision for late April or early May.

USC defensive line target Kyree Campbell of Woodbridge, VA will announce his college decision on Monday at 1:00 PM at his school following the first day of camp. Campbell is coming off a visit to North Carolina on Thursday with his mother and grandmother. He was also at North Carolina in June for Fredora's Freak Show.

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